Historical Poem
1888
Winter Cheer
By Hattie Whitney
Good Housekeeping, December 8, 1888, p. 65.
Lost, lost is the light of Autumn's bequeathing:
No more the late sunflower sleepily nods
To the breeze in the corn-plumes a lullaby breathing,
And lazily swaying the flower-bean pods.
All shorn of their grace are the elms and the willows:
The winds through the locust boughs gustily blow.
The sun has gone down under turbulent billows--
There's wrath in the west, and the fire says "snow."
But let the wind blow through the fields bleak and lonely,
Where fell the June sunshine all golden and soft:
'Twill find the dry stubble and brown brambles only:
The corn's in the crib, and the hay's in the loft.
And let the rain pour—not a wisp of the clover,
Nor spray of the meadow is left to be lost,
For the tempest to beat and the snow to drift over,
For blast of the hail and for blight of the frost.
And oh, the red light where the fore-stick is burning,
And back-log is cheerily glowing, could shame
The tints of the leaves when the forest was turning
From cool ocean-green into amber and flame.
And deep-hearted closets are filled with the favors
Pomona bestowed in her kindliest care--
The richest of tints and the sweetest of flavors
In rare-ripe and damson and pippin and pear.
And cellar and store-rooms are filled to o'erflowing,
And granaries burst with the barley and wheat;
Our cottage is snuggest when weird winds are blowing,
So let the winds wail, and so let the storm beat.
***
By Hattie Whitney
Good Housekeeping, December 8, 1888, p. 65.
Lost, lost is the light of Autumn's bequeathing:
No more the late sunflower sleepily nods
To the breeze in the corn-plumes a lullaby breathing,
And lazily swaying the flower-bean pods.
All shorn of their grace are the elms and the willows:
The winds through the locust boughs gustily blow.
The sun has gone down under turbulent billows--
There's wrath in the west, and the fire says "snow."
But let the wind blow through the fields bleak and lonely,
Where fell the June sunshine all golden and soft:
'Twill find the dry stubble and brown brambles only:
The corn's in the crib, and the hay's in the loft.
And let the rain pour—not a wisp of the clover,
Nor spray of the meadow is left to be lost,
For the tempest to beat and the snow to drift over,
For blast of the hail and for blight of the frost.
And oh, the red light where the fore-stick is burning,
And back-log is cheerily glowing, could shame
The tints of the leaves when the forest was turning
From cool ocean-green into amber and flame.
And deep-hearted closets are filled with the favors
Pomona bestowed in her kindliest care--
The richest of tints and the sweetest of flavors
In rare-ripe and damson and pippin and pear.
And cellar and store-rooms are filled to o'erflowing,
And granaries burst with the barley and wheat;
Our cottage is snuggest when weird winds are blowing,
So let the winds wail, and so let the storm beat.
***
Other historical poems:
A Floral Flirtation (Poem—1889)
A Header (?) (Poem—1883)
The American Carver (Poem—1887)
A Modern Love Sung in Ancient Fashion (Poem—1884)
The Autumn Woods (Poem—1888)
An Early Morning Ride (Poem—1883)
Great Grandma's Hallowe'en (Poem —1887)
In Nutting Time (Poem—1890)
Marguerite (Poem—1886)
May Day (Poem—1889)
Memorial Day (Poem—1890)
My Wheel (Poem—1883)
'Neath the Magnolias (Poem—1883)
October (Poem—1888)
On Wings of Love (Poem—1884)
The Right Sort of Girl (Poem—1889)
The Soldier's Daughter (Poem—1889)
Song for October (Poem—1888)
Together (Poem—1888)
Wheelman's Song (Poem—1883)
Back to Historical Articles Index
***
In a seaport town in the late 19th-century Pacific Northwest, a group of friends find themselves drawn together —by chance, by love, and by the marvelous changes their world is undergoing. In the process, they learn that the family we choose can be just as important as the ones we're born into. Join their adventures in
The Tales of Chetzemoka
To read about the exhaustive research that goes into each book, click on their "Learn More" buttons!
|
A Christmas Wish
|
|
Love's Messenger
A Choice Collection of Victorian Love Poetry The verses embraced within these pages have been kissed awake after a long slumber. Copied from the fragile pages of nineteenth-century books and magazines, they are the whispers of lovers long entranced. In this beautifully diverse collection of Victorian love poetry high-born ladies and their eloquent beaux keep company with simple maids whose sweethearts pledge their love in simpler —and often much funnier— terms. Prepare for your happy sighs to be joined by occasional giggles while you hold this book close to your heart. Compiled, edited and introduced by Sarah A. Chrisman, author of the charming Tales of Chetzemoka historical fiction series, This Victorian Life, Victorian Secrets, and others. Amazon |
|
The Wheelman's Joy
Victorian Cycling Poetry and Words About WheelsThere is something inherently romantic about cycling, and there has been since the first riders set their wheels to the road. This collection of nineteenth-century poetry, prose quotes and bon-mots about cycling reflects both the ardent passion and the innocent affection cycling inspires. From the glory days of high-wheel cycling through the boom of the safety bicycle, riders were falling in love with their wheels, with new-found freedoms, and above all with each other. This delightful little collection tells of those days in their own words, and evokes sentiments which every cyclist will find timeless. Compiled edited and introduced by Sarah A. Chrisman, author of the charming Tales of Chetzemoka cycling club series, This Victorian Life, Victorian Secrets, and others. |
For words of wit and advice sage,
I hope you'll like my author page!
History lessons, folks who dare,
Please do share it while you're there!
https://www.youtube.com/@Victorianlady
Thank you!
***
If our website has been helpful to you, please consider making a cash donation.
Your generous support helps us maintain this website and continue our outreach, so that we can keep teaching others about the history we love.
Everything helps and is appreciated!
Search this website:
***